It seems that real estate’s mantra—aside from “location, location, location”—is “the sky is the limit,” judging from how property developers around the world are trying to outperform each other to put up insanely tall structures current technology could afford them. Metro Manila, being one of the fastest growing metropolises in the world, is no exception. Although our skyscrapers are dwarfed by our neighbors’ ultra-tall structures (e.g., Taiwan’s Taipei 101, Malaysia’s Petronas Towers, and Hong Kong’s International Commerce Center), ours are by no means less impressive.
Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services has put together a list of the tallest skyscrapers in the Philippines, as verified by Emporis, a Hamburg, Germany-based global provider of real estate information.
(Note: This list contains more than 10 structures as several are tied in the same spots.)
Metrobank Tower Grand Hyatt Manila Photo by Lawrence Ruiz via Wikimedia Commons
1. Metrobank Financial Center
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Height: 318 meters
The tallest building in the Philippines is actually a mixed-use complex comprising the Metro Financial Center (the complex’s common podium), the 45-story Grand Hyatt Residences, and the 66-story Grand Hyatt Manila. The latter’s height from the ground level up to its pinnacle is 318 meters (1,043 feet), making it 59 meters higher than the second building on this list. Developed by Federal Land in partnership with ORIX Corporation of Japan, this ultra-high-end skyscraper features contemporary and postmodern architectural design by Hong Kong-based Wong & Ouyang and local architectural firm Casas + Architects.
PBCom Tower Photo by Hariboneagle927 via Wikimedia Commons
2. PBCom Tower
Ayala Avenue, Makati
Height: 259 meters
Standing 259 meters from its base up to its iconic eight-level radio tower, this Ayala Avenue landmark held the top position for 16 years. This PEZA-accredited, Filinvest Land-developed office skyscraper features 55 floors and a postmodern design by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) and local firm GF & Partners Architects. This building is one of only two certified Information Technology (IT) buildings in the Philippines by PEZA.
Trump Tower Manila Photo by Darell Valenciano via Wikimedia Commons
3. Trump Tower Manila
Century City, Poblacion, Makati
Height: 251 meters
Developed by Century Properties under a license from The Trump Organization, Trump Tower Manila is a 251-meter, 55-story high-end residential skyscraper located in the developer’s eponymous project in Brgy. Poblacion, Makati. Featuring a unique “peeled façade,” this glass skyscraper was designed by Pomeroy Studio and Broadway Malyan.
Gramercy Residences Photo by Luis Hernando via Wikimedia Commons
4. Gramercy Residences (tied)
Century City, Poblacion, Makati
Height: 250 meters
Sitting beside the Trump Tower Manila, this high-end residential condominium developed by Century Properties is the first tower completed in Century City. Boasting 73 floors of residential and commercial spaces, one of the Gramercy Residences’ main attractions include the Sky Park, which offers a spectacular view of the city, an infinity pool, a waterfall, a restaurant and café, and a garden island.
Discovery Primea Photo by Lawrence Ruiz via Wikimedia Commons
4. Discovery Primea (tied)
Ayala Avenue and Apartment Ridge, Makati
Height: 250 meters
Situated along Ayala Avenue just across Glorietta Mall and outside the village fence of Urdaneta, Discovery Primea is a mixed-use skyscraper that features a luxury hotel and residential condos. The hotel component is one of the most highly sought-after locations for weddings and events, while its residences offer some of the largest condo apartments in Makati. This 68-story iconic tower was developed by JKTC Land.
Shangri-La at the Fort Photo by Patrickroque01 via Wikimedia Commons
4. Shangri-La at the Fort (tied)
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Height: 250 meters
Situated just across the newly minted PSE Tower in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Shangri-La at The Fort is the first luxury hotel in the BGC and in Taguig. This 61-story bluish-gray glass structure features a retail and commercial podium, a two-level Kerry Sports Manila, and ultra-high-end residential apartments (Horizon Homes and Shangri-La Residences) on the upper levels.
Shang Salcedo Place Photo by Lawrence Ruiz via Wikimedia Commons
4. Shang Salcedo Place (tied)
Salcedo Village, Makati
Height: 250 meters
Another high-end residential condo in Makati, 67-story Shang Salcedo Place is right at the corner of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Tordesillas Street, and H.V. dela Costa Street, just a stone’s throw away from Makati Avenue. This property was developed by Shang Properties, an affiliate of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom condo units.
The Imperium at Capitol Commons Photo courtesy of Ortigas & Co.
5. The Imperium at Capitol Commons
Kapitolyo, Pasig
Height: 240 meters
Topped off in early 2019, Ortigas & Company’s The Imperium in its Capitol Commons development in Pasig (just off Ortigas Center) is now eighth tallest skyscraper in the Philippines (and the tallest outside Taguig and Makati). Rising 62 stories from its ground level, this low-density, high-end condo development (each floor only has four units) offers spacious two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, ranging in price from Php16 million to Php37 million. It is scheduled for completion and turnover in 2020.
Grand Riviera Suites Photo courtesy of Moldex Realty
6. Grand Riviera Suites (tied)
Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila
Height: 230 meters
At 230 meters high, Moldex Realty’s Grand Riviera Suites is the tallest skyscraper in the City of Manila. This one-of-a-kind waterfront skyscraper sits along the picturesque Roxas Boulevard, a stone’s throw away from the U.S. Embassy. It offers upper-mid-priced apartments, which target well-heeled property buyers who want to live close to Manila’s historic core.
The Royalton at Capitol Commons Photo courtesy of Ortigas & Co.
6. The Royalton at Capitol Commons (tied)
Kapitolyo, Pasig
Height: 230 meters
Another project of Ayala- and SM-owned Ortigas & Company, The Royalton is The Imperium’s equally luxurious sister project in Capitol Commons. Rising 230 meters from its base, this 64-story condo development offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom high-end apartments.
One Shangri-La Place Photo by Lawrence Ruiz via Wikimedia Commons
7. One Shangri-La Place – North and South Towers (tied)
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Height: 227 meters
Also by Shang Properties, 227-meter-tall One Shangri-La Place Towers are the tallest twin towers in the Philippines. These structures sit atop the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, one of the most high-end shopping complexes in Metro Manila, and it is neighbors with its sister developments The St. Francis Shangri-La Place and the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.
The Suites at One Bonifacio Photo courtesy of Ayala Land Premier
7. The Suites at One Bonifacio (tied)
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Height: 227 meters
One of Ayala Land’s most high-end condo projects to date, The Suites at One Bonifacio High Street sits right next to PSE Tower and across Shangri-La at The Fort. It stands 227 meters from the ground, this all-suite condo development features 284 apartments, the biggest of which are 316-sqm, three-sided units.
Skysuites Tower Photo by Patrick Roque via Wikimedia Commons
8. The Skysuites Tower
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Height: 223 meters
Formerly owned by Globe Asiatique, construction of The Skysuites Tower (formerly G.A. Sky Suites) was put on hold in 2010 when RCBC foreclosed the property after its owner was involved in a multi-billion-peso scam. Its present owner, DoubleDragon Properties, acquired the property from RCBC in 2014 and its construction resumed. It is composed of two 38-story towers, one for residential use and the other for office use. The two towers are connected by a parking and commercial podium.
BSA Towers Photo by Rio Hondo via Wikimedia Commons
9. BSA Towers (St. Francis Square)
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Height: 221 meters
Owned and developed by the St. Francis Square Group of Companies (the same company behind Asian Mansion and Prince Plaza in Makati), BSA Towers were topped off in 2000 but was only completed in 2011. Each of these twin towers stands 221 meters above ground, and their antennae serve as radio transmitters for several FM stations. Located along Bank Drive in the Mandaluyong side of Ortigas Center (at the back of SM Megamall), these towers sit beside St. Francis Square Mall, a four-story shopping complex dubbed as Metro Manila’s super-tiangge.
Alphaland Makati Place Photo courtesy of Alphaland
10. Alphaland Makati Place
Ayala Avenue Extension, Makati
Height: 220 meters
Another real estate project marred by controversy, Alphaland Makati Place is located at the corner of Ayala Avenue Extension and Malugay Street on a corner lot formerly owned by Sime Darby Philippines. This three-tower condo project sitting atop a six-level podium with an upscale shopping center and City Club, and offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 60 to almost 200 sqm.
By Jonas Carlo Lirac
